Selena's music has endured through the years, and the 90s classic Amor Prohibido is proof of that — with its remastered version sitting at No. 1 Billboard Chart Vinyl Albums (dated July 20).
Home to 11 tracks including the timeless hits “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom”, “No Me Queda Más”, “Si Una Vez” and the title track, Amor Prohibido originally released on March 22, 1994 under Capitol Latin/UMLE, it eventually made history as the first Tejano album to reach No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums chart.
Now, in honor of its 30th anniversary, the history-making album has been released on CD, cassette and, for the first time, on vinyl. A special remastered version of 2024, released under Universal Music Latino, is also available on all streaming platforms.
Selling 10,000 vinyl copies in the U.S. during the July 5-11 tracking week, according to Luminate, the album marks the second Latina No. 1 on the legendary 13-year-old Vinyl Albums chart, following the top No. 1 Shewhich spent a week as head in 2020.
“I'm excited that we're even celebrating 30 years of this album,” Suzette Quintanilla, Selena's sister and drummer for Los Dinos, previously said. Advertising sign. “Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that people would still be jamming to our music and dancing to our songs. I think my brother [A.B. Quintanilla III], Ricky Vela and Pete Astudillo did an incredible job writing those songs, and my brother arranging and producing them just shows a part of who we were growing up and what we were listening to. It was different [musical] the atmosphere continues. There's a little bit of everything mixed into this album – what we've all been listening to and definitely coming across. It was also a time when our record company let us be ourselves and do what we wanted with our music and this album.”
Below, Advertising sign ranks all 10 songs on the remastered Amor Prohibido album:
-
“Yes No”
“Is that Selena?” Many would wonder when hearing this song for the first time. The unexpected moody '90s rock tune “Ya No” shows a rebellious and vicious side of Selena. it is also the only one of this style on the album. The lyrics, written by AB Quintanilla and Ricky Vela, speak of a final breakup accompanied by powerful electric guitar lines. “There won't be a heart here anymore that will give you its love/ Whenever you want/ You won't have my passion anymore, say goodbye to the heat/ That one day it would give you,” goes the chorus. — LOUISA CALLE
-
“Photos and Memories”
With its unforgettable melody and nostalgic chorus, “Fotos y Recuerdos” captures hearts to its infectious cumbia beat. Bolstered by electric guitar riffs that add a vibrant layer to the track, the song deftly blends catchy hooks with the luscious echoes of Selena's soulful “oohs,” making it an irresistible earworm. The Tex-Mex beat, interwoven with the haunting lyrics, evokes the poignant feelings evoked by cherished old photographs, bringing memories to life with every note. It's a beautiful ode to memory that engages listeners in a vivid, heartfelt journey into the past. — ISABELA RAYGOZA
-
“Cobarde”
On “Cobarde,” Selena didn't hold back in calling out a boy — or rather, a coward — who did her wrong. The infectious Tejano track, produced by AB Quintanilla III's brother and written by Jorge Luis Borrego, is backed by synth keyboards, heavy drums, deep bass melodies and Selena no holds barred lyrics. On the track, Quintanilla talked about a boy who promised her the world, but betrayed her. “Coward, you're nothing but a coward/ You need courage to talk to me/ And you just run/ Coward, you're just a coward/ But sooner or later, you'll remember me” he sings passionately. — JESSICA ROSE
-
“El Chico del Apartment 512”
The way Selena played with the lyrics of this song, telling a story about a “cute” guy from her apartment building, apartment no. 512, powered this great cumbia. Selena's vocals are backed by seductive trumpets and a playful, synth-cumbia melody that will instantly immerse you in this charming story. In the love lyrics, the Mexican-American singer describes her neighbor and “the guy of her dreams, the one that would make her heart skip a beat,” while exploring new sounds along the way. — INGRID FAJARDO
-
“Tus Desprecios”
On Amor Prohibido, Selena showcased her musical versatility ranging from pop to rock to techno music, but “Tus Desprecios” is another reminder of why she's known as the “Queen of Tejano.” The peppy Tejano tune accompanied by seductive accordions—co-written by AB Quintanilla II and Ricky Vela—finds Selena lamenting unrequited love: “I tell you I love you and you don't answer back/ I offer you kisses and you turn away/ You don't have idea how much it hurts/ To love you so much and you don't love me anymore,” he sings. — JR
-
“Techno Cumbia”
Before the digital cumbia wave hit Latin America in the new millennium (think Colombia's Bomba Estéreo or Peru's Dangio Dangio Dungio Dungio), Selena's “Techno Cumbia” pioneered the fusion of traditional cumbia with electric techno beats. The track is a prime example of genre innovation, combining rich Latin rhythms with the fresh energy of synthesizers, years before artists like the ZZK Records roster brought similar sounds to Buenos Aires' underground scenes. With “Techno Cumbia,” Selena introduced a new Tex-Mex dance, while sparking a musical evolution that still resonates in today's global music scene. The declaration of “Este el nuevo baile de la techno cumbia,” not only heralded a new style, but set the stage for future fusions that continue to enrich Latin music. — IR
-
“No Me Queda Más”
A mariachi ballad, Selena's vocals really take center stage and almost become the main instrument as she sings with such fervor about learning to let go. It's one of her most memorable songs to date, thanks to relatable lyrics, classic mariachi covers, and yes, that now-iconic sparkly white dress she wears in the song's music video where she sings with obvious emotion. — GRISELDA FLORES
-
“Bidi Bidi Bom Bom”
Selena was a colorful artist with so many layers to her art. The variety in her music is what has made her such a transcendent artist that reaches a wide network of fans. The same person who passionately sings “Si Una Vez”, is also the same person who sings this super happy, bright song about how that special someone makes her heart skip a beat and sounds like “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom”, which eventually became an earworm. The hip-swiveling stud is audibly irresistible, so I'm just watching how much she likes it performing it, doing her inimitable twirls, is priceless. — GF
-
“Si Una Vez”
Just last week, Karol G posted a video on Instagram with an emotional post about the conclusion of her Mañana Será Bonito tour. In the video, her and child phenomenon Iker, who was central to her idea for MSB, emotionally sings “Si Una Vez.” It's a nod to Selena, one of Karol G's biggest inspirations, and also a nod to the song's timelessness. Thirty years later, “Si Una Vez,” a cumbia fueled by fiery mariachi trumpets, remains a staple in Latin music and one of Selena's best performances. Singing with such passion, to take back what's said in a relationship (“If I ever said I love you, today, Ireve it”), the song is not only one of Selena's signature songs, but also an anthem. that tugs at the heartstrings. — GF
-
“Amor Prohibido”
The title track has become one of the most iconic songs of Selena's career, not only because of its intense and progressive cumbia fusion, but also for its heartfelt and relatable lyrics. “Who cares what your mom and dad say? The only thing that matters here is our love,” the Mexican-Americans shout in a song that refers to an “unacceptable” and “forbidden” love, due to the difference in social positions. Although many may think that “Amor Prohibido” is related to her own love story with Chris Perez, the song was actually inspired by her grandparents' real-life love story. “Amor Prohibido” hit No. 1 on Advertising sign Hot Latin Songs chart in 1994, where it ruled the tally for nine weeks. — JR
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/lists/selena-amor-prohibido-album-all-songs-ranked/